FILTER?????

I was told that I have to have a filter. Has anyone had one ? Do they have to stay in or do they come out?

I have not had one, but from what I understand, some stay in and some come out.  I don't know if it depends on the type they use, the patient, the doctor, or what. I suggest when they put it in that you ask...  Do you know when they are going to place it?  Is it on the day of surgery or sometime before your surgery date?

I go in the Friday before the surgery to have it put in.

I met a guy that had surgery the day after mine.  He has to have the filter.  The way they put it in terms for him was this.....

 

If your BMI is above a certain number you have to ave it put in.  At the end of it is a little ball like thing that has something in it that as a clot tries to come through it shreds it and prevents having a blood clot.

He told me that they will NOT ever take the filter out.  And he has the same dr that you and I have. 

 

Best Wishes

Cindy

Dr Gorospe told me I need one too but said that they could put it in the morning of the surgery.  He said some of them can be taken out (cause my mom asked) but he also said "why would you?  its like a parachute in an airplane, you might not ever need it but its nice to know its there". 

I know one of Gorospe's patients and she is keeping it in too because I asked her.  I hear it is more painful to have it taken out than to have it placed, so if it doesn't hurt anything why not keep it in?  One less "procedure" you have to go though.

I have one and I'm keeping it in for saftey reasons.  Their is no need to remove it.  I was not bad and I was done in about an hour.  I went in the morning before my surgery.  I wish they would have done it the morning of my RNY.  

Hey, I was bored and cruising the boards and found this discussion interesting.  I know every surgeon does it different, but I was told that IVC filters aren't "without complications" and do have some risk like painful swelling in both legs and fcan orm one big clot where the filter is.  Also, that most patients do not need  these things if they have never had problems with blood clots before.  Just my 2 cents.

I feel it is better to be safe than to suffer the consequences.  As we all know, blood clots can kill and heaven forbid that should happen to anyone with proper procedures in place.   I did not have to have one myself, probably because my BMI was not in the range where they are required.  But I would have done it in a minute if it means surviving the surgery with the best possible outcome.  Who am I to argue with the expert!

I have a IVC filter, it is removable but I have chose to keep it. I plan to have plastic surgery oneday and I have had 3 family members die of pulmonary embolisms after surgery. So I am keeping it for safty reasons.